OCR Text |
Show Auction Provides Outlet for Area's Cattle Industry (Continued from Page 1) buyers in the pavilion, me scales are also set up so if several animals are brought in at the same time, auction employees can take the total weight, then divide it out on an average with listing and show that to customers as well. The only other auction company with electronic readout in the state, says Mark, is Salina Auction, owned by Production Livestock Association in Salt Lake City. The Salina Auction is F.ichfield Auctions main competition in the area. theless. One example, Mark said a Joseph rancher told him, the rancher weighed his cattle early that morning before taking them to Salina to sell. Then went back to Joseph. When he got his returns in, he found his cattle had lost 90 pounds according to their weight scale. Mark says this was due to the lag between when the animals were dropped off and when they were actually sold. In the middle of a day, an animal will lose weight from food and water loss. Consequently, the man tried the same thing before taking his cattle to Richfield Auction and lost only three percent in weight. Mark realizes his company is much smaller than the Salina one, but says competition is good just the asme. He Mark says they also try to get a good said they have nearly the same buyers amount of cattle in so buyers can take in does. Difference are as Salina prices minimal at either place. There are home a large load to make it worth their while. Summer months make it traders, however, who go to auctions difficult since fewer cattle are up for to state a the get throughout trying better price. But, that is almost a thing sale then. of the past, says Mark, as prices are He said the difference here is made about the same at any auction. with getting out and canvassing the something Richfield Auction The Salina Auction also has five full- area doesnt have the manpower to do. time people who solicit business to their auction. Possibly due to that fact, Because, says Mark, besides running the auction, he and his dad run a ranch d Richfield Auction Co., runs about as well. much as as Salina does, but Mark neversales are their increasing says The cafe part of the Richfield Auction one-thir- W building is also leased out to Fern Bettfreund. Mark said when the state first issued licenses for auctions, auctions were alloted certain ares. Richfield Auctions area was from Richfield and Beaver south to Northern Arizona. But now, everyone is stepping on each others toes, he said. There are also fewer livestock in the county than in the past, he said, and that has affected the amount seen in the auction. After animals are brought in and tagged, they are moved to the arena. Mark says a clerk then writes down a description of the animal and a weigh-mastThe weighs the animal. animals are then penned outside. A scale ticket is sent to the office personnel where it is invoiced and put on a check. Deductions are taken out and the check is then ready to be given to the seller at the counter. A pink slip is then given to the yard man who gets the animal for the new owner, says Mark. At the auction, Mark will auctioneer while his brother Bruce, a veterinarian checks the cattle. After the auction, the routine begins all over again by soliciting more business, says Mark. LETTERHEADS ENVELOPES POSTERS BUSINESS CARDS CARBONLESS PAPER BUSINESS FORMS Dt4i$K and 43 South Main The old Richfeld Auction County ring shows an auction in progress. From left in ring, Max White, Norman WEDDINGS STICKERS BOOKS FLYERS MENUS NEWSPAPERS Acufotf Service AvcUlaUt - Richfield 896-443- 1 Scott, T. M. Ashman, Doug Scott (auctioneering), Tom Layton and Robert Taylor. |